IARN — The team at Case IH wants to help farmers keep a high-quality feedstock.
Case IH Aftermarket Solutions product marketing manager Jim Franceschetti says making sure your hay crop holds the same nutritional value as the day it was cut is vital. He talks about the importance of moisture management.
“I think moisture and moisture management has the biggest impact on the quality of the hay being cut and produced,” Franceschetti said. “So, making sure that you’re managing your moisture effectively is paramount to the entire operation. Moisture can impact the mycotoxins and bacterial growth if there’s too high of moisture, and of course we all know that could lead to potential spoilage, and even in some instances, if there’s a lot of moisture in there, it can create a lot of heat and that can lead to spontaneous combustion. So, not only from a safety perspective, but also controlling your moisture leads to making sure that you have an effective and good relative feed value for the hay that’s being produced.”
Franceschetti says Case IH offers hay preservation products.
“Case IH to offer ThirtyPlus hay preservative, this is a buffered propionic acid, and it’s specifically formulated to prevent spoiling of the hay crop,” Franceschetti said. “So, this preservative has a pH of six which is about the same as rainwater, meaning it’s safe for your equipment, it’s safe for the operator, and it’s safe for the livestock, all while still doing the job that it needs to do and that’s preserving the hay and it works on all types of hay.”
He says you also want to consider moisture when hay is being stored.
“So, doing everything you can to properly store that hay so it has the same nutrients and the same relative feed value as the day you cut it,” Franceschetti said. “Proper storage is paramount, if you’re able to store it indoors. We also want to make sure that you’re producing uniform and dense bales and doing your best to keep any sort of moisture away from the bale. If it has to be stored outside, keeping it off the ground so there’s no risk of runoff or water damage that way. Using proper crop packaging also is important. And finally, remembering to frequently monitor the moisture of the bales after it’s been put up for storage to make sure that you’re not seeing any excessive heat being produced.”
Talk with your local Case IH dealer for more information.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Photo courtesy of CASE IH
